Events begin on Friday with the opening night of the Edge of the Seaters Melodrama. The melodrama will be presented at 7:30 p.m. at the Blanding Arts an Events Center on Friday, Saturday and Monday evenings.

By the time the celebration concludes on July 4, there will be a host of athletic opportunities for young and old alike, including softball, baseball, a 5k and one mile run, basketball, volleyball, horseshoe, swimming, boxing, and equestrian contests.

The Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast includes a low-cost meal and a patriotic program featuring San Juan County Commissioner Phil Lyman.

Stan Bronson is the grand marshall of the Independence Day parade, which begins Monday at 10:30 a.m. A Blanding native son, Bronson has had a successful career as a recording artist. He will perform in concert on Saturday evening at the San Juan High School auditorium.

There are a number of entertainment options, in addition to the melodrama and Stan Bronson concert. These include a quilt show, a photography exhibit, a Celebrate America pageant, and a concert in the park.

The culmination of the celebration is the annual July 4 fireworks display, which begins at 10 p.m.

A Celebration of Freedom event will be held on July 2 at the Nations of the Four Corners Center, 650 West 50 South.

The walking trails will be open beginning at 9 a.m.

At 10 a.m., there will be a flag ceremony featuring the Nations of the Four Corners, including the United States, the State of Utah, the Navajo tribe, the Ute tribe and Mexican flags.

At 11 a.m., speakers at the outdoor theatre will include Blanding mayor Toni Turk, Terry Knight of the Ute tribe and Clayton Long, president of Blue Mountain Diné.

Entertainment begins at noon with Blue Mountain Diné performers, flute, drummers and dancers from White Mesa, a Mexican song and dance and a pioneer song and dance.

Lunch will be served at 1 p.m. at the White Rocks picnic area.

“Our little celebration in Blanding has grown to one of the biggest and most successful celebrations in the state,” said Jon Hunt, who serves as chairman of the Independence Day committee. “We have many activities, a lot of opportunities for fun and just a few lines,” added Hunt. “People who attend know we have a great celebration going on here.”

The celebration is made possible by the volunteer work of dozens of area residents.

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